Hawkin's Bazaar Ltd was a British novelty gift and toy shop chain based in Norwich, England. It offered a range of unusual toys, gifts, gadgets and curiosities. They sourced out-of-the-ordinary products and offered something different, a range of toys and gifts meant to appeal to many ages and tastes.
History
The company known as Hawkin's Bazaar Ltd started life as a niche mail order toy company founded by Sid Templer in 1973 in Halesworth, Suffolk.[1] The name of the company at that time, TOBAR, was from the first few letters of his son's forenames, Toby and Barnaby.[1] Tobar remains the name of the parent company to this day.
In 1976, the mail order company moved premises into an old disused public house, formerly named the Hawk Inn, and decided to adapt the name for themselves as Hawkin's & Co; Bazaar was added to the name later.[1]
In 1989, the company moved premises again to a former farm, Elm House in St Margaret South Elmham; Toby took over the running of the company from his father, Sid.[1]